EDITOR’S NOTE

CARRYING THE TORCH

Asimple truth of magazine publishing is that it does not take place, like so much else, at the speed of light. There is a lag, especially for monthly and bimonthly periodidecision of her college students to choose careers as cops. And Gabbriel Schivone looks at how rebels can emerge within the ranks of law enforcement. cals, between when an issue goes to press and when it arrives See also our investigative report, by Minnesota writer David in subscribers’ mailboxes. That’s true even when the President’s Lamb, on the use of personality tests by major companies to appointee to the Postal Service isn’t trying to slow things down. make hiring decisions—tests which may be serving to screen

This lag is actually one of the neat things about magazines. It out the same racial groups these businesses claim they are trying forces us to focus on the bigger picture and not merely the latest to attract. Sharon Johnson examines the plight of the millions thing that’s happened in of Americans who have the news. That’s a wel- lost employer-based come respite from the health coverage due to breakneck pace foisted COVID-19. And Steon the national con- phen Nash explores the sciousness by a presiden- U.S. Fish and Wildlife tial administration that Service’s sorry failure to seems intent on causing protect the red wolf. a crisis a day, sometimes Finally, we go to more. school, with pieces by

As this issue of The Lexi McMenamin on a Progressive goes to press new brand of campus on November 18, the activism, school represidential election is former Jesse Hagopian all over but the shout- on how the Black Lives ing, but there is plenty Matter movement can of that. By the time sub- help propel real change scribers read this, the From left: “Fighting Bob” La Follette, Kerstin Vogdes Diehn, Bill Lueders, Daniel Libby, Emilio in schools, and Jeff Brydefeated Donald Trump Leanza, Norman Stockwell, Kassidy Tarala, and Elizabeth Miller in a virtual gathering with the aid of ant, the lead fellow of might have fired his encomputer software. (For information on how to get your own Progressive face mask, see page 71.) The Progressive’s Public tire administration, di- School Shakedown projrected his followers to erupt in violence, and begun bombing ect, on the nation’s bungled response to COVID-19 in schools. the blue states. Or he might have graciously conceded, congrat- Two honorable mentions: On October 26, writer James Goodulated the winners, and set out to ensure a smooth transition. man received the 2019 David Nyhan Prize for Political Journalism

Just kidding about that last one. from the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy

The prior issue of The Progressive was devoted to documenting at the Harvard Kennedy School, largely for his work in recent the sorry record of the Trump Administration on everything years covering immigration for The Progressive. The well-attendfrom foreign policy to the environment to the rule of law. It was ed virtual event, which can be viewed at shorensteincenter.org/ an appropriately depressing picture, in advance of the possibility david-nyhan-prize-for-political-journalism-webinar, was hosted that Trump might get four more years. This issue, in contrast, by Shorenstein Center Director Nancy Gibbs, the former ediseeks the light at the end of the tunnel—a new era of opportunity tor-in-chief of Time magazine. for progressives. And “A Letter to My Niece” by Ariel Felton, which we proudly

One focus is the reform of the criminal justice system. (The presented in February 2019, was listed as a notable essay in the key word in this phrase, remember, is not “justice” or even just-published book The Best American Essays 2020. “criminal,” but “system.”) Victoria Law writes about the aging These are proud moments for The Progressive and its staff, reof the nation’s prison population, and the chance it creates to minding us of the torch we are called on to carry into the future. show mercy and common sense. Renée Feltz reports on the desperate use of hunger strikes by immigration detainees, and the punishment it outrageously occasions. Sarah Lahm examines how and why hopes have waned for fundamental changes Bill Lueders in policing in Minneapolis. Eleanor Bader wrestles with the Editor